Definition: Economic sanctions are commercial and financial penalties applied by one or more countries against a targeted country. In this case, the League of Nations imposed sanctions on Italy after it invaded Abyssinia.

• Incomplete sanctions: The sanctions did not include coal, oil, and steel (essential to the Italian economy and war effort), which significantly reduced their impact.
• Delay in implementation: The sanctions took a long time to be implemented, reducing their overall effectiveness.
• Short duration: The sanctions only lasted from November 1935 to June 1936, which was not long enough to have a significant impact on Italy's economy.
• Suez Canal not closed: Britain did not close the Suez Canal, allowing Italy to continue sending forces and supplies to Africa. Britain's naval priorities were focused on protecting British possessions against Japan in the Far East.
• Lack of commitment from non-member countries: Countries like the United States, Japan, and Germany did not participate in the sanctions, making it difficult to cripple Italy's economy.

Real-World Example: Economic sanctions can be compared to boycotting a company's products to force them to change their policies or behavior. If only a few people participate in the boycott, or if it doesn't last long, it won't have a significant impact on the company.